According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 older adults report falling each year—that’s over 14 million people. Unfortunately, the likelihood of falls increases as we get older, and one common contributor may surprise you—untreated hearing loss. Yes, you read that correctly: Studies prove that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falls by 30%. And the more severe our hearing loss is, the more our chances ...
Most of us are probably aware that loneliness isn’t good for us—but today’s fact offers the hard-hitting reality of just how bad isolation can be for our overall health. Considered as risky as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, loneliness has also been named an urgent health threat by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. So, why report this here? Because unfortunately, hearing loss puts us at an even higher risk for ...
Wasn’t the cool weather last week just a treat?! Don’t hate me! My blood has thinned down over the years since I moved down here from Michigan back in 1980… but my yankee blood still likes a little chill around the holidays. The Christmas spirit is in the air. Patients coming into the office seem to have quite the “pep in their step”! I have seen many treasured Christmas shirts. Patients are planning ...
As the holiday season approaches, there’s no denying it’s about to get busy for many of us (ho, ho, ho, that’s an understatement, right?). The preparations can be as eventful as the big days themselves—everything from planning the perfect menus to scrambling for gifts for everyone on our lists. We plan ahead not only to ensure things run smoothly, but also so we can squeeze in quality time with the people ...
Social skills are acquired, learned and fine-tuned throughout our life. Whether a person is young or older…if they have a hearing loss then their ability to communicate easily and appropriately may be lacking. A hearing loss often effects a person’s self-esteem. Often their views of society and their surrounding may be quite different than someone who has normal hearing and is able to fully communicate with others. The hearing impaired may pretend to ...
Our legacy, our ancestry can often reveal the journey of our future. If we investigate our past there will be some key pointers about our future. Many situations can change our life. Some things will change it for the better and while others will have negative effects. Many of our soldiers end up with PTSD after serving our country because of the tragic life that they led. Love can end up in divorce which traumatizes ...
Today’s fact headlining the lack of hearing screenings at routine doctor exams may surprise you—or not. If you’re surprised: It’s probably because you’ve been keeping up with the mounting research that strongly links hearing loss with dementia, cognitive decline, depression, loneliness, and falls. If you’re not surprised: You may be familiar with the current state of shorter appointments in the U.S. and let’s face it—it’s ...
Several months ago I had a patient at my office and I was asked how do you attack tinnitus? Tinnitus is defined as a variety of different noises that are heard inside your head. It may be a ringing, roaring, rushing, chirping, clicking, and even music or voices. It can be minimal or it can drive you nuts. It may be intermittent or constant and keeps you from sleeping at night. It may vary in ...
We officially have started the holiday season. Its a time for love and reflection. We find ourselves counting our blessings. At the forefront of our blessings are our families. While we are enjoying dinners and celebrations it is important to stay healthy at the same time. Unfortunately, the holiday season also brings colds, and the flu. People are more active; out and about, shopping, meeting friends, attending extra church events, going to holiday movies. Germs ...
If you know someone who has hearing aid then you may wonder why some people seem to have problems with their hearing instruments? Many people complain to their friends about them. We have people all the time that will come in and tell us that they don't know if they want to spend money on hearing instruments because their friends keep them in a drawer. Some people complain and then there are those that ...
